Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano offered a scenario where, instead of kickoffs, teams can punt after a score or attempt to convert a fourth-and-15 to keep the ball.

"Some people would say let's move the kickoff line forward even further," Anderson said. "Another suggestion would be to put weight limitations on the people who can run down on the kickoff play. The theory being that lighter-weight guys colliding will be less detrimental than heavier-weight guys colliding with smaller-weighted guys. So that would be another idea.

Playoffs:

Goodell mentioned one issue that is sure to draw the attention of most fans: Expanding the playoffs.

While I'm not necessarily hostile to getting rid of kickoffs in one way or another, replacing it with a 4th and 15 is exactly the kind of ad hoc, stats-specialist BS that over time makes the game so ridiculous and arbitrary-rule bound. I hate it, though I like the fact that it gives me an additional reason to think Schiano is a worthless jerk.

"I’m never under the assumption that you draft for need. You draft the best available football player on the board. ... Because, in the long run, they are the ones who will help you win the most games." - Scot McCloughan

SkinsJock wrote:I'm in favor of getting rid of the kickoffs IF the NFL gets data that shows that by doing away with kickoffs they are improving player safety

The data is out there already.

Here's some:

Excerpt:

Further, looking back at the graph above, it appears that over the past few years, injury rates on kickoffs are in line with those on run and pass plays. In fact, in 2008 and 2009 the kickoff injury rates were lower than for typical scrimmage plays. Getting rid of the two-minute warning in the first half, a gimmick that only allows extra commercials, would have a similar injury-reducing effect just by reducing the number of pass and run plays.

SkinsJock wrote:I'm in favor of getting rid of the kickoffs IF the NFL gets data that shows that by doing away with kickoffs they are improving player safety

The data is out there already.

Here's some:

Excerpt:

Further, looking back at the graph above, it appears that over the past few years, injury rates on kickoffs are in line with those on run and pass plays. In fact, in 2008 and 2009 the kickoff injury rates were lower than for typical scrimmage plays. Getting rid of the two-minute warning in the first half, a gimmick that only allows extra commercials, would have a similar injury-reducing effect just by reducing the number of pass and run plays.

SkinsJock wrote:I'm in favor of getting rid of the kickoffs IF the NFL gets data that shows that by doing away with kickoffs they are improving player safety

The data is out there already.

Here's some:

Excerpt:

Further, looking back at the graph above, it appears that over the past few years, injury rates on kickoffs are in line with those on run and pass plays. In fact, in 2008 and 2009 the kickoff injury rates were lower than for typical scrimmage plays. Getting rid of the two-minute warning in the first half, a gimmick that only allows extra commercials, would have a similar injury-reducing effect just by reducing the number of pass and run plays.

If you eliminate kickoffs then you would have to eliminate punts. Punt returning is more dangerous than kickoffs.
I think this is a stupid idea.
Expanding the playoffs is just another way to make more money. Greed Greed Greed

Redskinsfansince81 wrote:If you eliminate kickoffs then you would have to eliminate punts. Punt returning is more dangerous than kickoffs. I think this is a stupid idea.

Not so. From somewhere else:

Probably because you have two teams of 11 guys each essentially running at one another at full speed, as opposed to having a punt where 8-9 guys on each team are slowed by fighting it out at the line of scrimmage.

We all love the game just the way it is. Why is this stupid Commissioner trying to change the game we love? I didnt like them changing the kickoff and I dont even like the new rules about hitting. A defensive player has to walk on eggshells to not get a flag.